Ormonde-Ottewill returns as Arsenal U18s struggle to break down Stoke

Arsenal U18s were unable to make the breakthrough against Stoke City on Saturday afternoon despite the fact that they created several goalscoring opportunities at London Colney.

Reinforcing the argument that it is extremely difficult to achieve consistency at this level due to constantly changing line-ups, coach Carl Laraman’s side contained just three players who had started the defeat to Manchester United last week, with only Jack Jebb, Leander Siemann and Elliot Wright being retained. Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill made his first appearance of the season after recovering from injury, whilst there were starts for schoolboys Chiori Johnson, Chris Willock and Kaylen Hinds.

Huddart

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Smith-Jebb

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Lipman

subs: Iliev, Dawkins, Uade, Dobson, Robinson.

Stoke started in the ascendancy, with Arsenal goalkeeper Ryan Huddart forced into a good save early on, but it wasn’t long until Laraman’s side started to dominate proceedings.

Schoolboy Kaylen Hinds came close to scoring on several occasions

Hinds, who joined from Leyton Orient last summer, was at the heart of much of what was good about Arsenal’s play in the first-half, with the 15 year old, who has been named in the latest England U16 squad, doing well to seize possession and find Austin Lipman, who shot just wide.

Hinds was then presented with a chance of his own from a corner but his header was pushed to safety by Stoke goalkeeper Dale Eve in what proved to be the final notable incident of the first-half.

Kieran Monlouis came close for the visitors with a powerful shot shortly after the re-start, but Arsenal soon regained control, with Swedish winger Jamaal Raage doing well to find Hinds, whose header was tipped over the crossbar.

Arsenal could have scored a winner late on when substitute George Dobson found Hinds, but the youngster couldn’t find the net. The Gunners travel to face Middlesbrough next week but, before then, the attention will turn to Arsenal’s inaugural UEFA Youth League fixture away to Marseille on Wednesday.

have we got 18 fit for each squad on Wednesday? it must be really tight, I reckon this is it, with perhaps Jeffrey coming into contention for the first team if giroud doesn’t make it. I have assumed that gnabry cannot play for the first team as not registered.

jeorge, I have several questions to ask. First, are these 15 and 16 years kids playing Under-18 games because they have the talent and quality to do so or just because of lack of squad depth? I have no doubts of Cris Willock and it seems Kaylen Hinds is a talented player, but how about Chiori Johnson and dobson? Secondly, what nationality is Niles and how old is he? Thirdly and last, from the results it seems our under-16 and 14 are doing very good, the question is, do we have seriously talented kids coming through our academy or is it just the other academy are poor?

To answer the first question, i think it’s a combination of both. Dobson is very talented as are some of the others, but there’s no denying the fact that there are far fewer players available than in previous years. Ainsley Maitland-Niles is 16 and was called up to the England U17 squad in the summer but eventually withdrew from the squad. Thirdly, the younger age-groups coming through are very good, but, again, the opposition in recent weeks hasn’t been of the highest calibre.

Thanks very much Jeorge. I realy appriciate your effort on informing us about our youth teams. I live in Tanzania, so the only way I get to know lot of news concerning our academy is through your blogs.